Russia Says Human Rights Protection 'Malfunctioning' In U.S.

Russia says that police killings of black Americans and the ensuing protests highlight serious shortcomings in the protection of human rights in the United States.

The Russian Foreign Ministry's human rights representative voiced concern on December 5, after the shooting of a black man in Arizona and two days of protests in New York that followed a grand jury's decision not to prosecute a police officer over the choking death of a black man in July.

Konstantin Dolgov said on Twitter that "the protests in New York and the tragedy in Arizona are confirmation of large-scale malfunctions in the system providing for human rights in the United States."

He said violations of the rights of ethnic minorities have become "routine."

Russia has faced persistent criticism from the United States over human rights and democracy, which opponents say President Vladimir Putin has curtailed during 15 years in power.

Putin has often said the United States has no right to judge others, and Russia has stepped up criticism of the United States over human rights during his current term.